Infants on Thrones

See?
Randy gets me.

First, let me clarify my opinion of the book:
1. Krakauer is a skilled and effective writer.

2. The material in the book is historically accurate OR it represents valid and plausible opinions about Mormon historical events in areas where there isn’t enough information to know. He did his homework.

3. Religion has the potential to inspire the worst in some people. The Laffertys are as good an example of that as any.

4. Mormon religion has some really dysfunctional ideas in it, and some truly scandalous history.

5. I enjoyed reading the book. It was disturbing to me when I read it. No thinking and caring person, Mormon or not, could be unaffected by the story.

But I also think I understood what he was trying to do — at least what Krakauer claims was his intention and purpose for writing the book. I got that. He wanted to explore the dark underbelly of religion, and Mormons made a good target for the story he wanted to explore. Sure. I agree intellectually with what he was saying.

WHY I HATE THIS BOOK:

Because it has caused me, my Mormon family and friends a lot of damage, heartache and pain. It put a huge wedge in my marriage, and probably contributed to a divorce in my extended family. I can not even bring up the topic of Mormonism or even religion in my own home without hearing a turrets-like
reactive rant: that the LDS Church is a damaging and dangerous cult, and Joseph Smith was a pedophile and a liar! (which might all be true, but can’t we at least have a civilized discussion about it?)

This book wasn’t just another stuffy academic work that circulated among pointy-headed Dialogue Magazine-style intellectuals and historians (my favorite people). It was a major best seller read by all kinds of readers – many of whom are NOT sophisticated readers of religious history books.

Here is the poisonous pattern Krakauer sets up in his book:
1. The Lafferty’s are fucking crazy, evil, sick bastards.

2. Here’s something violent and bad in early
Mormon history.

3. Is there a possible connection? (of course there is!)

4. Here is how the seed of fundamentalism remains in the LDS Church.

5. The Laffertys were LDS … AH HA! YES! We get the connection now, thanks!

6. … therefore, the LDS religion produces fucking crazy, evil, sick bastards. What else could it produce given all the history and evidence that you just read in this book?

For readers who DON’T KNOW anything else beyond reading this book, that’s all there is. There’s no nuance. There’s no showing of different perspectives. Krakauer was telling an entertaining and intellectually challenging story of the dark side of religion. It was only focused on that one perspective.

There actually aren’t any reasonable Mormons, just ones that manage to barely keep their grip on reality enough, for the time being, to not go on a murderous
rampage based on a prompting from God. All religions have these people, so this was just the example he used…

A family member who was leaving the church read this book. They wanted me to read it too so they could talk about it with someone in the family. They told me they thought I was chilled out and knowledgeable enough, so it wouldn’t be a problem. That was correct. So I read it. He and I had some great conversations about the book. But…

My wife got curious, so she wanted to read the book too and be a part of the discussion. That was the end of peace about religion in my home. She did *NOT* see his examination of the dark underbelly of religion as a clever intellectual exercise worthy of spirited conversation over drinks. IT WAS FOR REAL! The LDS Church created the Laffertys, and the LDS Church is an evil and dangerous influence making her miserable. Our whole family had to leave the church immediately! If I didn’t leave the church and HATE it like she does, than it’s a betrayal. I must love the church more than her … hmmmm, maybe I am like the Laffertys? Don’t you see the obvious connection?!!!!!!!!!! Krakauer does. It’s all in the book!

It’s been almost 5 years of grief, and nearly the cause of the breakup and destruction of my family. THANK YOU JOHN KRAKAUER! You book is so awesome and clever.

This is why I hate that book and John Krakauer.
My hatred is not fair. It isn’t even because I am a believer. It’s because I experience the harm and consequences on an almost daily basis because people BELIEVE the surface level of his story.

They are not reading it the way he claims he intended to write it. Whooops! His mistake right? Well, it’s my loss.

I hate this book because too many people I have to interact with DON’T get his clever, detached examination or his clever use of Mormonism to examine broad questions of human nature. They only heard: The LDS Church is a bunch of evil, dangerous psychopaths.

Krakauer put all the evidence into one giant, stinking pile of shit, all in one place, to make it “obvious” to anyone with “integrity” and “honesty.” There’s nothing else about Mormonism really worth considering. His book is the reality of it, the final word.